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Ghana assistant coach Akwasi Appiah says under-fire AC Milan ace Kevin-Prince Boateng is loyal to the Black Stars. The commitment of the 25-year-old has been questioned after he was axed from the Ghana squad that will play Nigeria next month in an international friendly on 9 August. Boateng claims he is recovering from surgery and wanted to be excused for the game but angry officials opted not to contest his claims but to give the chance to other players. However, he was included in the AC Milan squad that played in the 2011 Audi Cup in Germany. Local fans feel the German-born player has ridden on the shoulders of the African giants to stardom. But Black Stars number two man Appiah wants criticisms against the former Germany youth international to abate. He told Africa Sports: �I think critics of Kevin-Prince Boateng are mixing up the issues. He had a knee surgery recently and returned only a couple of weeks ago �The head coach Stevanovic sincerely believed he had to be given a little time for full recovery before rejoining the team while allowing other new players to justify themselves. �I do not think it has to do with the so called unpatriotic attitude of Kevin Boateng.� Boateng�s ailing career was resurrected when he switched nationality to play for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That aided him to make a big move to the Italian giants after the Black Stars excelled to reach the quarter-finals in South Africa.